Complete coverage of the Angels minor leagues

And After One …

Kaleb Cowart was the Angels’ first pick in the June 2010 draft. Photo credit: Perfect Game USA, Cedar Rapids.

The first round of the June 2010 amateur draft was held Monday, and for the second year it was telecast on MLB Network. This year, the supplemental picks between the first and second rounds were telecast along with the regular first round picks.

The Angels had picks #18 (from the Mariners as compensation for Chone Figgins), #29 (from the Red Sox for John Lackey), #30, #37 (compensation for Lackey), and #40 (compensation for Figgins).

#18 Kaleb Cowart 3B, Cook County High School (GA) — Baseball America and many analysts projected Cowart as a pitcher, but the Angels have never been afraid of taking a player projected for one position and converting him to another, such as Mark Trumbo. BA described Cowart as “a switch-hitting third baseman, and while some scouts consider his defense fringy at the hot corner, he has strength in his swing and some raw power.” In a post-game conference call, Cowart identified the Braves’ Chipper Jones as a role model. MLB’s scouting report thinks he doesn’t have the range for shortstop, and that he hits better from the right side. Some analysts believe Cowart might be unsignable as he was destined for Florida State, but that’s never stopped the Angels who’ve practiced their “high risk, high reward” draft philosophy since former GM Bill Stoneman’s first draft in June 2000.

#29 Cam Bedrosian RHP, East Coweta High School (GA) — Yes, he’s the son of former major league closer Steve Bedrosian. BA believes that Bedrosian could close but could also evolve into a starter. “Scouts have seen his fastball touch 96 mph, and Bedrosian sits in the 92-94 range all day. He repeats his delivery well enough to have fastball command at the amateur level, and with some smoothing out of his delivery he could have average pro command. He also throws a fringe-average curveball and changeup, as well as a power slider.” He’s destined for Louisiana State if he doesn’t sign. The MLB scouting report notes that at 6’0″ Bedrosian is “undersized” as the major league pitcher height chart goes, but makes up for it with pitching smarts and an improving changeup.

#30 Chevez “Chevy” Clarke OF, Marrieta High School (GA) — The Angels’ Georgia scout Chris McAlpin seems to have caught the ear of scouting director Eddie Bane this year, as the Halos’ first three picks were in the Peach State. BA wrote, “He has shown outstanding tools, from above-average speed (running the 60 consistently in 6.5 seconds) to hitting ability from both sides of the plate. He started switch-hitting at age 13 and has a smooth stroke as both a righthanded and lefthanded hitter, flashing average raw power. He has present strength and explosiveness, generating good bat speed.” But they also criticized, “he hasn’t dominated high school competition, and scouts question his instincts. He lacks pitch recognition skills and swings and misses too much for someone with his swing and ability.” BA believes he could be a tough sign as he’s committed to Georgia Tech. MLB believes “he has the potential to be a plus center fielder.”

On BA’s ranking of Georgia talent, Cowart was #2, Bedrosian was #4, and Clarke was #8.

#37 Taylor Lindsey SS, Desert Mountain HS (AZ) — Ranked #8 on BA’s Arizona prospects list, Lindsey can commute to work from Scottsdale to the Angels’ minor league complex in Tempe. BA commented that Lindsey “has been a hot name in Arizona, but the tools and profile haven’t matched the hype. He will not be a pro shortstop, as he has a thick lower half and is a below-average runner with a below-average arm. He might be able to move to second base or more likely left field. While he has a nice lefthanded swing, his power is average at best and one scout said it was a metal-bat swing that won’t translate to wood.” The Angels drafted another Scottsdale infielder, Brandon Wood, in the first round back in 2003 (different high school).

#40 Ryan Bolden OF, Madison Central HS (MS) — BA had Bolden the #2 prospect in Mississippi. They wrote that Bolden is “raw in all phases of the game,” questioned his pitch recognition and ability to hit breaking balls and described his arm as “fringe average.” But they noted he has above-average speed and power. BA recommended him as “a better risk for a club with multiple selections.”

The Angels chose high-schoolers with all five picks, which is not surprising as BA described this draft as not having many top college prospects as last year. Eight of the first thirteen picks were from a junior college or university, but after that only eight of the next twenty-seven.

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.